Roll sheet assembly and roll sheet flange

ABSTRACT

There is provided a roll sheet assembly including a cardboard tube, a roll sheet wound around the cardboard tube, a pair of flanges each disposed at one of both ends of the cardboard tube, and an inner shaft being inserted through the cardboard tube, and coupling the pair of flanges. At least one of the flanges includes a flange main body covering an end face of the roll sheet, and a joint provided at a center of an inner surface of the flange main body, and joined to an end of the inner shaft. The flange main body has a cutting line formed thereon, the cutting line being for separating the joint joined to the inner shaft from the flange main body.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a roll sheet assembly and a roll sheetflange.

A roll sheet produced by winding a printer sheet around a cardboard tubehas been used in a printer such as a thermal printer, a thermal transferprinter (including a dye sublimation printer), and an ink jet printer inorder to perform much printing, or the like. A method of using flangesprovided at the both ends of the roll sheet is used as a method ofdelivering information regarding a print characteristic, a remainingamount, and the like of the roll sheet to the printer.

For example, in the thermal printer described in JP 2012-51703A, flangeshaving concave and convex portions formed on an outer surface areattached at the both ends of a thermal sheet roll, and a contact sensoris provided on a holder of the thermal printer, which accommodates thethermal sheet roll. A state of the thermal sheet roll (including aremaining sheet amount, a type of thermal sheet, or a mounted state) isdetected based on a state of contact of the irregularities of theflanges with the contact sensor, and delivered to the printer.

SUMMARY

Incidentally, when applying the flanges described in JP 2012-51703A to aroll sheet, it is requested that the flanges and a cardboard tube of theroll sheet are configured to be securely integrated with each other suchthat the flanges are not easily detached from the roll sheet before andwhile the roll sheet is used. Meanwhile, it is also requested that theroll sheet and the flanges are easily disassembled such that the rollsheet and the flanges, which include different materials (such as apaper material and a resin material including polypropylene,respectively), are separately wasted after the roll sheet is used.

However, in the thermal sheet roll described in JP 2012-51703A, if it isemphasized that the roll sheet and the flanges are tightly fixed to besecurely integrated before and while the roll sheet is used, it becomesdifficult to detach the cardboard tube from the flanges after the rollsheet is used. Consequently, the flanges and the cardboard tube are verydifficult to separately waste, and it is also very difficult to reducean amount of the waste. To the contrary, if it is emphasized that thecardboard tube and the flanges are easy to detach after the roll sheetis used so that the cardboard tube and the flanges are configured to beloosely fixed, the flanges are easily detached from the cardboard tubebefore and while the roll sheet is used, which is inconvenient for useand interferes with the operation of the printer.

In view of such circumstances, it is desired to provide a roll sheetassembly which can have a roll sheet and flanges securely fixed beforeand while the roll sheet is used, and can also have the roll sheet andthe flanges easily disassembled after the roll sheet is used.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda roll sheet assembly including a cardboard tube, a roll sheet woundaround the cardboard tube, a pair of flanges each disposed at one ofboth ends of the cardboard tube, and an inner shaft being insertedthrough the cardboard tube, and coupling the pair of flanges. At leastone of the flanges includes a flange main body covering an end face ofthe roll sheet, and a joint provided at a center of an inner surface ofthe flange main body, and joined to an end of the inner shaft. Theflange main body has a cutting line formed thereon, the cutting linebeing for separating the joint joined to the inner shaft from the flangemain body.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a roll sheet flange including a pair of flanges each disposedat one of both ends of a cardboard tube around which a roll sheet iswound, and an inner shaft coupling the pair of flanges, the inner shaftbeing inserted through the cardboard tube in an axis direction. At leastone of the flanges includes a flange main body covering an end face ofthe roll sheet, and a joint provided at a center of an inner surface ofthe flange main body, and joined to an end of the inner shaft. Theflange main body has a cutting line formed thereon, the cutting lineseparating the joint joined to the inner shaft from the flange mainbody.

According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, whenforce is applied to the flange main body in a direction separated fromthe cardboard tube, the flange main body may be cut along the cuttingline and at least a part of the joint joined to the inner shaft may beseparated from the flange main body. The joint separated from the flangemain body, and the inner shaft may be pulled out from the flange mainbody with the joint joined to the inner shaft. The flange can hereby besecurely joined to the cardboard tube before and while the roll sheetassembly is used, and the flange main body can be cut along the cuttingline to separate the inner shaft from the flange main body and toseparate the flange from the cardboard tube after the roll sheetassembly is used.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible tosecurely fix the cardboard tube of the roll sheet and the flanges beforeand while the roll sheet is used, and to easily disassemble thecardboard tube and the flanges after the roll sheet is used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a whole configuration of aprinter according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view and a perspective view, each of whichillustrates a configuration of a roll sheet assembly according to thesame embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view, a cross-sectional view taken along lineA-A′, and a side view, each of which illustrates a roll sheet holderaccording to the same embodiment with the roll sheet assembly notmounted thereon;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view illustrating the roll sheet holder accordingto the same embodiment with the roll sheet assembly mounted thereon;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state of contact of acontact sensor with a convex portion of a flange of the roll sheetassembly according to the same embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a table illustrating a sensor signal output from the contactsensor according to the same embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a signal waveform chart illustrating a relationship between aremaining amount of a roll sheet according to the same embodiment andthe sensor signal of the contact sensor;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a flange according to amodified example of the same embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a roll sheet assemblyaccording to a modified example of the same embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the roll sheet assemblyaccording to the same embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an assembled perspective view of the roll sheet assemblyaccording to the same embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an outer surface and an innersurface of the flange of the roll sheet assembly according to the sameembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a joint between theflange of the roll sheet assembly and the inner shaft according to thesame embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating perforations, which arean example of a cutting line according to the same embodiment;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating cutting guide kerfs,which are another example of the cutting line according to the sameembodiment;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a flange according to amodified example of the same embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a process drawing illustrating a method for assembling theroll sheet assembly according to the same embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a process drawing illustrating the method for assembling theroll sheet assembly according to the same embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a process drawing illustrating the method for assembling theroll sheet assembly according to the same embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating the roll sheet assembly afterthe roll sheet according to the same embodiment is completely used out;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the roll sheet assemblyafter the roll sheet according to the same embodiment is completely usedout;

FIG. 22 is a process drawing illustrating a method for disassembling theflange of the roll sheet assembly according to the same embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the roll sheet assemblywith the flange according to the same embodiment separated therefrom;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a roll sheet assemblyaccording to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 is an assembled perspective view of the roll sheet assemblyaccording to the same embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a joint between a flangeof the roll sheet assembly and an inner shaft according to the sameembodiment;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view illustrating the roll sheet assembly aftera roll sheet according to the same embodiment is completely used out;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the roll sheet assemblyafter the roll sheet according to the same embodiment is completely usedout;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view illustrating the roll sheet assembly withthe flange according to the same embodiment separated therefrom;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the roll sheet assemblywith the flange according to the same embodiment separated therefrom;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view illustrating a modified example of theflange of the roll sheet assembly according to the same embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view illustrating a flange of a roll sheetassembly according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating the flange of the roll sheetassembly according to the same embodiment;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view illustrating a mating unit of the flangeaccording to the same embodiment;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view illustrating the mating unit of the flangeillustrated in FIG. 31A; and

FIG. 36 is a perspective view illustrating a modified example of theflange of the roll sheet assembly according to the same embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that,in this specification and the appended drawings, structural elementsthat have substantially the same function and structure are denoted withthe same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of thesestructural elements is omitted.

The description will be made in the following order.

-   1. First Embodiment (Spiral Coupling Cutting Line and Cyclic Cutting    Line)-   1.1. Configuration of Printer-   1.2. Method for Detecting State of Roll Sheet Assembly-   1.2.1. Detection of Remaining Amount of Roll Sheet-   1.2.2. Detection of Type of Roll Sheet-   1.2.3. Detection of Improper Mounting-   1.3. Configuration of Roll Sheet Assembly-   1.3.1. Overview of Roll Sheet Assembly-   1.3.2. Whole Configuration of Roll Sheet Assembly-   1.3.3. Configuration of Cutting Line-   1.3.4. Specific Examples of Cutting Lines-   1.3.5. Intersection Site of Cutting Line and Convex Portion-   1.4. Method for Assembling Roll Sheet Assembly-   1.5. Method for Disassembling Roll Sheet Assembly-   1.6. Conclusion-   2. Second Embodiment (Plurality of Linear Coupling Cutting Lines and    Cyclic Cutting Line)-   2.1. Configuration of Roll Sheet Assembly-   2.1.1. Whole Configuration of Roll Sheet Assembly-   2.1.2. Configurations of Cutting Lines-   2.2. Method for Disassembling Roll Sheet Assembly-   2.3. Modified Examples-   2.4. Conclusion-   3. Third Embodiment (Only Cyclic Cutting Line)-   3.1. Configuration of Cutting Line-   3.2. Conclusion-   4. Fourth Embodiment (Only Split Cutting Line)-   4.1. Configuration of Cutting Line-   4.2. Modified Example-   4.3. Conclusion

1. First Embodiment [1.1. Configuration of Printer]

First, FIG. 1 will be seen to describe a whole configuration of aprinter 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the whole configuration of theprinter 1 according to the present embodiment.

An example of a thermal printer will be described below, which is usedin a medical apparatus such as an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, asthe printer 1 to which a roll sheet assembly 100 according to thepresent embodiment is applied. However, the roll sheet assemblyaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be applicableto any printer such as a thermal transfer printer (including a dyesublimation printer) and an ink jet printer other than the thermalprinter. The printer 1 is used not only in the medical apparatus, butmay also be applicable to any electronic apparatus such as a registerdevice, a kiosk terminal, an electronic calculator, and a business orhome printer.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes an interface 2, imagememory 3, a print information configuration unit 4, a roll sheet holder5, a sensor 6, a head 7, a platen roller 8, and a platen motor 9. Theprinter 1 further includes a manipulation unit 10, a printer controlunit 11, a print control unit 12, a sheet control unit 13, a platenmotor control unit 14, a display unit 15, and a roll state determinationunit 16.

The interface 2 is a device used for inputting an image signal of aprint target from an external apparatus to the printer 1. The imagememory 3 temporarily stores the image signal input via the interface 2.The print information configuration unit 4 reads out the image signalfrom the image memory 3, configures print information based on the imagesignal, and outputs the print information to the head 7. The printinformation indicates an image, a text, or the like of the print targetthat is laid out within a print frame on a printer sheet.

The roll sheet holder 5 is a holder (mounting unit) used for mountingthe roll sheet assembly 100 on the printer 1, and is provided on ahousing of the printer 1. The roll sheet assembly 100 includes a rollsheet 120 that is a wound printer sheet, which will be described belowin detail. The roll sheet is a thermal sheet made of paper or syntheticresin in the thermal printer according to the present embodiment, but isnot limited to such an example.

The head 7 is supplied with the roll sheet 120 unwound from the rollsheet assembly 100 by the rotation of the platen roller 8. The head 7 isa thermal print head, and cooperates with the platen roller 8 inperforming a print operation. That is, the head 7 prints the printinformation that has been input from the print information configurationunit 4 on the roll sheet 120 (printer sheet) fed from the roll sheetassembly 100. The platen roller 8 is rotated by the platen motor 9, andejects the roll sheet 120 in a print direction.

The manipulation unit 10 includes various keys and touch panels,receives a user manipulation for manipulating the printer 1, and outputsan input signal indicating the user manipulation to the printer controlunit 11. The printer control unit 11 controls the overall operation ofthe printer 1 based on the input signal from the manipulation unit 10.For example, the printer control unit 11 controls the image memory 3,the print information configuration unit 4, and the head 7 via the printcontrol unit 12. The print control unit 11 also controls the platenmotor control unit 14 and the display unit 15 via the sheet control unit13. The platen motor control unit 14 controls the platen motor 9, whichcontrols sheet feed of the roll sheet 120 by the platen roller 8.

In the printer 1, the roll sheet assembly 100 is mounted on the rollsheet folder 5 provided on the housing of the printer 1. The roll sheetholder 5 has a dimension and a shape conforming to the roll sheetassembly 100, and holds the roll sheet assembly 100. The roll sheetholder 5 is provided with the contact type sensor 6 that detects a state(including a type, a remaining amount of a sheet, a mounted state, and arotation state) of the roll sheet assembly 100. The roll statedetermination unit 16 determines the state of the roll sheet assembly100 based on the detection result of the sensor 6, and outputs thedetermination result to the sheet control unit 13. The sheet controlunit 13 controls the platen motor control unit 14 or the display unit 15in accordance with the determination result. The determination result isalso supplied to the printer control unit 11, and the printer controlunit 11 controls the head 7 or the print information configuration unit4 via the print control unit 12 in accordance with the determinationresult.

[1.2. Method for Detecting State of Roll Sheet Assembly] [1.2.1.Detection of Remaining Amount of Roll Sheet]

Next, FIGS. 2 to 6 will be seen to describe a method for detecting thestate of the roll sheet assembly 100 according to the presentembodiment. The rotation state and the mounted state of the roll sheetassembly 100 are detected in the present embodiment in order to detectthe remaining amount of the roll sheet 120.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view and a perspective view, each of whichillustrates the configuration of the roll sheet assembly 100 accordingto the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the rollsheet assembly 100 includes a hollow cylindrical cardboard tube 110, aroll sheet wound around an outer circumference of the cardboard tube110, and a symmetrical pair of flanges 130A and 130B (which may begenerically referred to as “flange 130,” hereinafter) attached at theboth ends of the roll sheet 120.

The roll sheet assembly 100 is assembled from the cardboard tube 110,the roll sheet 120, and the pair of flanges 130 in this way, and has acylindrical roller shape as a whole. The roll sheet assembly 100 isusually distributed in the market with the flange 130 attached to thecardboard tube 100.

The roll sheet assembly 100 is mounted on the roll sheet holder 5 of theprinter 1 with the flanges 130 and 130 attached at the both ends of theroll sheet 120, and serves for printing. Then, after the roll sheet 120is used out, the roll sheet assembly 100 is detached from the roll sheetholder 5. The roll sheet assembly 100 is separated into the flange 130and the cardboard tube 110, separately collected, and wasted.

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the cardboard tube 110 is a cylindrical axialmember for winding the roll sheet 120 therearound. The cardboard tube110 rotates around a central axis (roll axis C in FIG. 2) of the rollsheet assembly 100 with the roll sheet assembly 100 mounted on the rollsheet holder 5. A material of the cardboard tube 110 includes paper suchas cardboard, but is not limited thereto. Another material includingsynthetic resin may also be adopted as far as having strength enough towind the roll sheet 120 therearound. A longitudinal length of thecardboard tube 110 is substantially the same as a width of the rollsheet 120. The cardboard tube 110 functions as a support shaft ofsupporting the roll sheet 120. If the cardboard tube 110 is not providedand only the roll sheet 120 is configured to be wound so as to allow acardboard tubeless configuration, the unwound printer sheetunfortunately curls much, or the like. The cardboard tube 110 istherefore favorably used as a roll shaft.

The roll sheet 120 is a belt-shaped printer sheet, and is wound aroundthe outer circumference of the cardboard tube 110. A material of theroll sheet 120 is generally paper (such as a thermal sheet in a thermalprinter), but another material such as synthetic resin (includingplastic paper) may also be adopted as far as the material is a printmedium capable of being printed by a printer.

The flange 130 is a disk-shaped member covering the both sides of theroll sheet assembly 100 in a roll axis direction. The symmetrical pairof flanges 130A and 130B is attached to the respective sides of thecardboard tube 110. The flange 130 is injection-molded using aninexpensive material such as synthetic resin, but may also be moldedusing another material and in another manufacturing method. The flangeis molded such that the outer diameter of the flange 130 is equal to ormore than the maximum diameter of the roll sheet 120 that is woundaround the cardboard tube 110.

The flange 130 includes a function of protecting the roll sheet 120 intransit and a function of preventing the roll sheet 120 from meanderingduring a print operation. The flange 130 according to the presentembodiment further includes a function of delivering informationindicating a state of the roll sheet assembly 100 to the printer 1.

That is, an outer surface of at least one of the flanges 130A and 130Bhas a concave portion and a convex portion formed thereon, which areused for the sensor 6 to detect the state of the roll sheet assembly100. Here, an inner surface of the flange 130 is a surface on the sidefacing to the roll sheet 120. To the contrary, the outer surface of theflange 130 is on the opposite side to the inner surface of the flange130, and faces to a side surface of the roll sheet folder 5, which willbe described below. As illustrated in FIG. 5C, a boss convex portion 131and a ring convex portion 132 project on the outer surface of the flange130 as convex portions for detecting the state of the roll sheetassembly 100.

The boss convex portion 131 is a convex portion for detecting therotation state of the roll sheet assembly 100. The ring convex portion132 is a convex portion for detecting the mounted state of the rollsheet assembly 100. A circular boss convex portion projects as the bossconvex portion 131 at only one position that is off the roll axis C. Thering convex portion 132 projects around the roll axis C in a ring shapehaving a predetermined width. The boss convex portion 131 and the ringconvex portion 132 of the flange 130 cooperate with the sensor 6 of theroll sheet holder 5, which will be described below, in detecting therotation state and the mounted state of the roll sheet assembly 100.

The boss convex portion 131 is formed at only one position inside thering convex portion 132 in the example illustrated in FIG. 5C. However,the boss convex portion 131 may also be formed outside the ring convexportion 132. Alternatively, the boss convex portions 131 may be formedat a plurality of positions. Furthermore, the boss convex portion 131 iscircularly boss-shaped, but any shape such as an elliptic shape and arectangular shape may be adopted. The only one ring convex portion 132is formed around the roll axis C, but a plurality of the ring convexportions 132 may also be formed around the roll axis C in concentriccircles. A width of the ring convex portion 132 can also be changed asnecessary.

Next, FIGS. 3 and 4 will be seen to describe a configuration of the rollsheet holder 5 with the roll sheet assembly 100 according to the presentembodiment mounted thereon. FIG. 3 is an elevation view, across-sectional view take from line A-A′, and a side view illustratingthe roll sheet holder 5 with the roll sheet assembly 100 according tothe present embodiment not mounted thereon. FIG. 4 is an elevation viewillustrating the roll sheet holder 5 with the roll sheet assembly 100according to the present embodiment mounted thereon.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the roll sheet holder 5 includes a housing 51having an aperture area. The housing 51 is provided with anaccommodating unit (central accommodating unit 52, and flangeaccommodating units 53 and 54) that accommodates the roll sheet assembly100, and the sensor 6 that detects the state of the roll sheet assembly100.

The central accommodating unit 52 accommodates a main body part (partsof the cardboard tube 110 and the roll sheet 120) at the center of theroll sheet assembly 100. The central accommodating unit 52 is a concaveportion having an arcuate longitudinal cross-section whose diameter islonger than the roll sheet 120 of the roll sheet assembly 100, and hasone side open. The flange accommodating units 53 and 54 accommodateportions outside the flanges 130A and 130B on the both sides of the rollsheet assembly 100. The flange accommodating units 53 and 54 are concaveportions having arcuate longitudinal cross-sections whose diameters area little longer than the ring convex portion 132 of the flange 130, andhave either sides open.

The flange accommodating unit 53 is provided with two contact sensors 61and 62 on the side surface as the sensor 6 for detecting the state ofthe roll sheet assembly 100 mounted on the roll sheet holder 5. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, the contact sensors 61 and 62 are disposed atpositions at which it is possible to face to the respective boss convexportion 131 and ring convex portion 132 formed on the outer surface ofthe flange 130A of the roll sheet assembly 100.

The contact sensor 61 functions as a rotation state detection sensor fordetecting the rotation state of the roll sheet assembly 100. The contactsensor 61 faces to and contacts the boss convex portion 131 of theflange 130 for each rotation of the roll sheet assembly 100, which hasbeen properly mounted on the roll sheet holder 5 (see FIG. 5). Thecontact sensor 62 functions as a mounted state detection sensor fordetecting the mounted state of the roll sheet assembly 100. The contactsensor 62 constantly faces to and contacts the ring convex portion 132of the roll sheet assembly 100, which has been properly mounted on theroll sheet holder 5 (see FIG. 5).

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a sheet feed mechanism including the platenroller 55 is provided in front of the roll sheet holder 5. The platenroller 55 pulls out the roll sheet 120 from the roll sheet assembly 100mounted on the roll sheet holder 5. An axis direction of the platenroller 55 is horizontal. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the roll sheetassembly 100 is mounted on the roll sheet holder 5 with a pulled-out end120 a of the roll sheet 120 wound around the platen roller 55. The rollsheet assembly 100 is mounted on the roll sheet holder 5 in the state inwhich the roll sheet 120 of the roll sheet assembly 100 does not contactan inner surface of the central accommodating unit 52 and the flangeaccommodating units 53 and 54 support the flanges 130A and 130B on theboth sides of the roll sheet assembly 100 in a rotatable way. The rollsheet assembly 100 successively feeds the roll sheet 120 in a printdirection while smoothly rotating around the roll axis C in accordancewith the rotation of the platen roller 55.

Next, FIG. 5 will be seen to describe detection operations of thecontact sensors 61 and 62 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 isa cross-sectional view illustrating a state of contact of the contactsensors 61 and 62 with the convex portions 131 and 132 on the flange 130of the roll sheet assembly 100 according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when the roll sheet assembly 100 isproperly mounted on the roll sheet holder 5, the contact sensor 62constantly faces to and contacts the ring convex portion 132 to bepressed by the ring convex portion 132. Thus, a SW2 of the contactsensor 62 is constantly on. Additionally, when the roll sheet assembly100 is not mounted on the roll sheet holder 5 or is not properlymounted, the SW2 is off because the contact sensor 62 is not pressed bythe ring convex portion 132.

Meanwhile, the contact sensor 61 repeats contact/non-contact with theboss convex portion 131 in accordance with the rotation of the rollsheet assembly 100 so that a SW1 of the contact sensor 61 also repeatson/off at all times. As illustrated in FIG. 5A in detail, when thecontact sensor 61 does not face to or contact the boss convex portion131, the contact sensor 61 is not pressed by the boss convex portion 131so that the SW1 is also off. Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, whenthe roll sheet assembly 100 rotates and the contact sensor 61 faces toand contacts the boss convex portion 131, the contact sensor 61 ispressed by the boss convex portion 131 so that the SW1 is on.

The contact sensors 61 and 62 detect the state of contact with the bossconvex portion 131 and the ring convex portion 132 of the flange 130A inthis way, and turn the switches SW1 and SW2 on/off in accordance withthe state of contact. The contact sensors 61 and 62 output sensorsignals indicating the detection results to the roll state determinationunit 16 (see FIG. 1).

FIG. 6 is a table illustrating the sensor signals output from thecontact sensors 61 and 62 according to the present embodiment. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, when pressed by the ring convex portion 132, thefirst contact sensor 62 (mounted state detection sensor) outputs a lowsignal indicating that the roll sheet assembly 100 is properly mountedon the roll sheet holder 5. To the contrary, when not pressed by thering convex portion 132, the first contact sensor 62 outputs a highsignal indicating that the roll sheet assembly 100 is not mounted or isimproperly mounted.

When pressed by the boss convex portion 131, the second contact sensor61 (rotation state detection sensor) outputs a low signal indicatingthat the boss convex portion 131 faces to the contact sensor 61. To thecontrary, when not pressed by the boss convex portion 131, the secondcontact sensor 61 outputs a high signal indicating that the boss convexportion 131 does not face to the contact sensor 61.

Additionally, the contact sensor 61 outputs the high signal indicatingthat the boss convex portion 131 does not face to the contact sensor 61when the roll sheet assembly 100 is not mounted. Any combination otherthan the example illustrated in FIG. 6 may also be used as thecombination of the mounted state and the rotation state of the rollsheet assembly 100 and the sensor signals of the two contact sensors 61and 62.

It is assumed here that the roll sheet 120 is fed from the roll sheetassembly 100 at a constant rate. In this case, the rotation speed of theroll sheet assembly 100 around the roll axis C decreases with increasein the roll diameter of the roll sheet 120 of the roll sheet assembly100, that is, increase in the remaining amount of the roll sheet 120.Thus, it is possible to detect the remaining amount of the roll sheet120 by detecting the rotation speed of the roll sheet assembly 100.

FIG. 7 is a signal waveform chart illustrating a relationship betweenthe remaining amount of the roll sheet 120 and the sensor signal of thecontact sensor 61 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 assumesthat the roll sheet 120 is fed from the roll sheet assembly 100 at aconstant rate.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, when a large amount of the roll sheet 120remains, the rotation speed of the roll sheet assembly 100 decreases sothat a time interval Δt from low signal falling of the contact sensor 61to next low signal falling is lengthened. To the contrary, when a smallamount of the roll sheet 120 remains, the rotation speed of the rollsheet assembly 100 increases so that the time interval Δt is relativelyshortened.

Accordingly, if the time interval Δt between the low signals of thecontact sensor 61 is measured and Δt is equal to or less than athreshold value Δtt, which means that the remaining amount of the rollsheet 120 is small, it is possible to notify a user of the necessity forexchanging the roll sheet assembly 100. In this case, the rotation speedof the roll sheet assembly 100 is obtained in the state in which, forexample, 90% of the roll sheet 120 has been used out, and the timeinterval Δt of the corresponding low signals is calculated as thethreshold value Δtt.

As described above, according to the roll sheet assembly 100 of thepresent embodiment, the boss convex portion 131 and the ring convexportion 132 formed on the outer surface of the flange 130 are used todetect the mounted state and the rotation state of the roll sheetassembly 100. Just a simple configuration hereby allows the detection ofthe remaining amount of the roll sheet 120. Thus, it is possible tonotify a user of the consumption of the roll sheet 120, the necessityfor exchanging the roll sheet 120, or the like in accordance with thedetection result of the remaining amount of the roll sheet 120.

The boss convex portion 131 and the ring convex portion 132 are usedabove to detect the mounted state and the rotation state of the rollsheet assembly 100, but a shape of the convex portion on the outersurface of the flange 130 according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure and a state of the roll sheet assembly 100 detected by usingthe convex portion are not limited thereto. The modified examples willbe described below.

[1.2.2. Detection of Type of Roll Sheet]

For example, a change in a width of the ring convex portion 132 on theouter surface of the flange 130 may allow a type of the roll sheetassembly 100 or a type (including a roll width, a material, and aspecies) of the roll sheet 120 to be detected. Specifically, asillustrated in FIG. 8, when using a flange 130C that includes a ringconvex portion 132C of a wide width w1, the two contact sensors 61 and62 provided on the roll sheet holder 5 are configured to be depressed bythe ring convex portion 132C. To the contrary, when using a flange 130Dthat includes a ring convex portion 132D of a narrow width w2, only thecontact sensor 61 is configured to be depressed by the ring convexportion 132D.

Consequently, just a simple configuration allows the type of the rollsheet 120 to be detected only by changing the width of the ring convexportion 132 on the flange 130 in accordance with the type of the rollsheet 120. Thus, the printer 1 can perform control (including controlfor adjusting the print speed, shade, and density) according to the typeof the roll sheet 120 without a designation manipulation by a user.

[1.2.3. Detection of Improper Mounting]

It is also possible to detect improper mounting of the roll sheetassembly 100 by changing a shape and disposition of a convex portionbetween the two flanges 130 on the both sides of the roll sheet assembly100. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a ring convex portion 132Ehaving a large outer diameter D1 is attached onto one of the sides ofthe roll sheet assembly 100 while a ring convex portion 132F having asmall outer diameter D2 is attached onto the other side of the rollsheet assembly 100. The flange accommodating unit 53 on one of the sidesof the roll sheet holder 5 is shaped so as to conform to the ring convexportion 132E having the large outer diameter D1 while the flangeaccommodating unit 54 on the other side is shaped so as to conform tothe ring convex portion 132F having the small outer diameter D2.

Consequently, if the roll sheet assembly 100 is mounted on the rollsheet holder 5 in a proper direction, the ring convex portions 132E and130F are appropriately accommodated into the flange accommodating units53 and 54, respectively. To the contrary, if the roll sheet assembly 100attempts to be mounted on the roll sheet holder 5 in an improperdirection, the ring convex portion 132E having the large outer diameterD1 is not capable of being accommodated into flange accommodating unit54 for the small outer diameter D2. Thus, a simple configuration canprevent the roll sheet assembly 100 from being improperly mounted onlyby changing sizes of the ring convex portions 132 on the symmetricalflanges 130E and 130F.

[1.3. Configuration of Roll Sheet Assembly]

Next, the description will be made regarding a configuration of the rollsheet assembly 100 according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

[1.3.1. Overview of Roll Sheet Assembly]

First, the description will be made regarding an overview of the rollsheet assembly 100 according to the present embodiment. As describedabove, the roll sheet assembly 100 according to the present embodimentis configured to have the pair of flanges 130 attached to the respectiveends of the cardboard tube 110, around which the roll sheet 120 iswound, in an axis direction, and the flange 130 is configured to coverthe each end face of the roll sheet 120. The flange 130 allows afunction of detecting the state of the roll sheet assembly 100 by use ofa convex portion on the outer surface of the flange 130 and the like tobe realized in addition to the function of protecting the roll sheet120, the secure mounting of the roll sheet 120 on the roll sheet holder5, and the function of preventing the roll sheet 120 from meandering.

Meanwhile, the configuration using the flange 130 may interfere witheasy disassembly of the flange 130 and the cardboard tube 110 after theroll sheet assembly 100 is used. That is, the flange 130 has to beconfigured to be integrated with the roll sheet 120 and the cardboardtube 110 such that the flange 130 is not easily detached from thecardboard tube 110 before and while the roll sheet 120 is used. To thecontrary, after the roll sheet 120 is used, it is necessary to easilyseparate the cardboard tube 110 from the flange 130, to separatelycollect the cardboard tube 110 and the flange 130 when wasted, to reducethe waste, and the like.

The roll sheet assembly 100 according to the present embodiment istherefore configured to have a cutting line (such as perforations andcutting guide kerfs) easy to cut formed on a main body of the flange130. The cardboard 110 is hereby easy to separate from the flange 130 bycutting the main body of the flange 130 along the cutting line after theroll sheet 120 is used.

[1.3.2. Whole Configuration of Roll Sheet Assembly]

Next, FIGS. 10 to 13 will be seen to describe the configuration of theroll sheet assembly 100 according to the present embodiment in detail.FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the roll sheet assembly 100according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is an assembled perspectiveview of the roll sheet assembly 100 according to the present embodiment.FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the outer surface and theinner surface of the flange 130 of the roll sheet assembly 100 accordingto the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional viewillustrating a joint between the flange 130 and an inner shaft 140 ofthe roll sheet assembly 100 according to the present embodiment. Thecardboard tube 110 and the roll sheet 120 of the roll sheet assembly 100are omitted in FIGS. 10 to 13 for convenience of explanation.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the roll sheet assembly 100 includesthe cardboard tube 110, the roll sheet 120, the symmetrical pair offlanges 130A and 130B (which may be generically referred to as “flange130,” hereinafter) disposed on the respective ends of the cardboard tube110 in the axis direction, and the inner shaft 140 that is insertedthrough the cardboard tube 110 and couples the pair of flanges 130A and130B.

The inner shaft 140 is a stick member having substantially the samelength as the cardboard tube 110. A thickness of the inner shaft 140 issmaller than the inner diameter of the cardboard tube 110. The innershaft 140 is capable of being inserted into the cardboard tube 110. Bothends 141A and 141B (which may be referred to as “end 141,” hereinafter)of the inner shaft 140 function as portions to be joined, with which theflange 130 is joined to the inner shaft 140.

The inner shaft 140 is inserted through a hollow space inside thecardboard tube 110. The end 141A of the inner shaft 140 is joined to theflange 130A, and the other end 141B of the inner shaft 140 is joined tothe other shaft 130B. The inner shaft 140 in the illustrated example isa square stick member having a rectangular cross-section, but the innershaft 140 is not limited thereto. The inner shaft 140 may adopt anyshape as far as the thickness and the shape allow the inner shaft 140 tobe inserted into the cardboard tube 110.

The flange 130 includes a flange main body 133 and a joint (mating unit134) for joining the flange main body 133 to the inner shaft 140. Theflange main body 133 is a disk-shaped member having an outer diametercorresponding to the maximum outer diameter of the roll sheet 120, andhas a function of covering the cardboard tube 110 and the end face ofthe roll sheet 120. A convex portion such as the ring convex portion 132for detecting the state of the roll sheet assembly 100A projects on anouter surface 133 a (outwardly exposed side surface of the roll sheetassembly 100 in the axis direction) of the flange main body 133. To thecontrary, a joint to be joined to the end 141 of the inner shaft 140 isformed at the center of an inner surface 133 b (side surface facing tothe end face of the roll sheet 120) of the flange main body 133.

Here, the joint of the flange 130 is used for joining the flange mainbody 133 to the inner shaft 140. The joint of the flange 130 accordingto the present embodiment includes a mating unit 134 that mates with theend 141 of the inner shaft 140. The mating unit 134 projects from thecenter of the inner surface 133 b of the flange main body 133 toward theinner side (side of the cardboard tube 110). The mating unit 134 has ashape that allows the mating unit 134 to be inserted into the cardboardtube 110 and to mate with the end 141 of the inner shaft 140. The matingunit 134 has a shape like a square cylinder that allows the end 141 ofthe inner shaft 140 to be inserted therein in the illustrated example. Alocking pawl 135 that mates with a concave 142 on the end 141 of theinner shaft 140 projects on an inner surface of the mating unit 134.

The end 141 (portion to be mated) of the inner shaft 140 is insertedinto the mating unit 134 on the flange 130 owing to the mating structureso that it is possible to mate the locking pawl 135 in the mating unit134 with the concave portion 142 of the inner shaft 140. Since the end141 of the inner shaft 140 is hereby locked by the locking pawl 135, itis possible to firmly join the end 141 of the inner shaft 140 to themating unit 134 on the flange 130. It is therefore possible to preventthe flange 130 from being detached from the cardboard tube 110. The useof the mating structure allows the inner shaft 140 to be relativelyeasily joined to the flange 130 without an additional joining member.

The above-described example uses the mating structure that the end 141of the inner shaft 140 is inserted into a mating hole of the mating unit134 on the flange 130, but another mating structure may also be adopted.For example, the mating unit 134 of the flange 130 may be configured tobe inserted into a mating hole formed at the end 141 of the inner shaft140.

Another joining method other than the above-described example of themating structure may also be used as a method for joining the innershaft 140 to the flange 130 as far as the flange 130 is not easilydetached from the inner shaft 140 while the roll sheet assembly 100 isbeing used. For example, a joining method using thermal deposition(including thermal welding), a joining method using an adhesive, and ajoining method using a fixing member such as a screw may be adoptable.

[1.3.3. Configuration of Cutting Line]

Next, FIGS. 10 to 13 will be seen to describe a cutting line 150, whichis formed on the flange 130 according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 13, the cutting line 150 is formed on theflange main body 133 of the flange 130 according to the presentembodiment for separating the mating unit 134 joined to the inner shaft140 from the flange main body 133. The cutting line 150 is a linearportion that is easy to cut and formed on the flange main body 133, anda cutting guide line that facilitates the flange main body 133 to becut. A part on which the cutting line 150 is formed in the flange mainbody 133 has a weaker and thinner member than another part in the flangemain body 133. Consequently, when no external force is applied to theflange main body 133, the flange main body 133 is not cut along thecutting line 150. However, when external force is applied, the flangemain body 133 can be easily cut along the cutting line 150.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 13, the cutting line 150 according to thepresent embodiment includes a cyclic cutting line 151 formed around themating unit 134 (joint) on the flange main body 133, and a spiralcutting line 152 that couples a peripheral edge of the flange main body133 with the cyclic cutting line 151.

The cyclic cutting line 151 is formed so as to surround portions allaround the mating unit 134 on the flange main body 133, and is, forexample, an endless cutting line such as a circular line, an ellipticalline, and a rectangular line. The cyclic cutting line 151 does not reachthe peripheral edge of the flange main body 133 and remains inside theflange main body 133. The cyclic cutting line 151 is preferably formedoutside the mating unit 134 on the flange main body 133 and as close tothe mating unit 134 as possible. It is hereby possible to separate themating unit 134 mated with the inner shaft 140 from the flange main body133 when the flange main body 133 is cut along the cyclic cutting line151, and the separated mating unit 134 can be pulled out from thecardboard tube 110 along with the inner shaft 140. From this point ofview, the size of the cyclic cutting line 151 preferably falls within arange less than the inner diameter of the cardboard tube 110.

The spiral cutting line 152 is an example of a coupling cutting linethat couples the peripheral edge of the flange main body 133 with thecyclic cutting line 151, and spirals from the peripheral edge of theflange main body 133 to the cyclic cutting line 151. An end on the innercircumference of the spiral cutting line 152 is connected to the cycliccutting line 151 while an end (position on an outer edge in the flangemain body 133) on the outer circumference of the spiral cutting line 152has a notch 153 formed thereon.

The spiral cutting line 152 has a function of guiding an opening slit onthe flange main body 133 from the outer circumference of the flange mainbody 133 to the cyclic cutting line 151. That is, when cutting theflange main body 133, first, the notch 153 on the peripheral edge of theflange main body 133 is used as an opening slit to cut the flange mainbody 133 along the spiral cutting line 152. Next, it becomes possible tocut portions around the mating unit 134 of the flange main body 133along the cyclic cutting line 151 when the opening slot along the spiralcutting line 152 reaches the cyclic cutting line 151.

The coupling cutting line includes the spiral cutting line 152 in thisway. As a result, only one spiral cutting line 152 has to be used inorder to allow the flange main body 133 to be easily cut from theperipheral edge of the flange main body 133 to the cyclic cutting line151.

[1.3.4. Specific Examples of Cutting Lines]

FIGS. 14 and 15 will be seen here to describe specific examples of thecutting line 150 (such as the cyclic cutting line 151 and the spiralcutting line 152). FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating theflange main body 133 that has the perforations 155 formed thereon, whichare an example of the cutting line 150 according to the presentembodiment. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the flangemain body 133 that has a cutting guide kerf 156 formed thereon, which isanother example of the cutting line 150 according to the presentembodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the cutting line 150 may include theperforations 155. A length of a hole and a length of a part of theperforations 155 that is not penetrated are selected as necessary inaccordance with a material or a thickness of the flange main body 133.If a metal mold for perforations is used upon injection-molding theflange main body 133, the perforations 155 can be formed relatively withease. Alternatively, the perforations 155 may be formed by using acutter for perforations after the flange main body 133 is molded.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the cutting line 150 may include the cuttingguide kerf 156. A depth and a width of the cutting guide kerf 156 areselected as necessary in accordance with a material and a thickness ofthe flange main body 133. The cutting guide kerf 156 may be formed byusing a metal mold for kerfs upon injection-molding the flange main body133, or may be formed by being half-cut with a cutting tool after theflange main body 133 is molded.

A shape of a cross-section of the cutting guide kerf 156 can also berealized in the various forms. For example, a V-shaped groove 156A maybe formed over a surface of the flange main body 133, as illustrated inFIG. 15A, or two V-shaped grooves 156B and 156B may be formed on theboth surfaces of the flange main body 133 so as to face to each other,as illustrated in FIG. 15B. The cutting guide kerf 156 may be a kerf156C of a rectangular cross-section, as illustrated in FIG. 15C, or mayalso be a kerf 156D of a semicircular cross-section, as illustrated inFIG. 15D.

[1.3.5. Intersection Site of Cutting Line and Convex Portion]

Next, the description will be made regarding a relationship between aconvex portion of the flange 130 and the cutting line 150. As describedabove, a convex portion such as the ring convex portion 132 is formed onthe outer surface 133 a of the flange main body 133 of the flange 130according to the present embodiment. The convex portion is detected bythe sensor 6 provided on the roll sheet holder 5. A thickness of theflange main body 133 increases at a site at which the convex portion isprovided.

Thus, it becomes possibly difficult to cut the flange main body 133along the cutting line 150 at the site at which the cutting line 150intersects the convex portion. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12,cutting along the spiral cutting line 152 may be prevented at a site 154at which the spiral cutting line 152 intersects the ring convex portion132.

It is therefore preferable to form a slit 157 at the site 154 on theflange main body 133 at which the spiral cutting line 152 intersects thering convex portion 132, as illustrated in FIG. 16. The slit 157 is anelongate gap that penetrates the flange main body 133, and is formedalong the spiral cutting line 152 at the intersection site 154. Sincethe slit 157 allows the intersection site 154 to be cut in advance, itis possible to cut the flange main body 133 along the spiral cuttingline 152 more smoothly.

[1.4. Method for Assembling Roll Sheet Assembly]

Next, FIGS. 17 to 19 will be seen to describe a method for assemblingthe roll sheet assembly 100 according to the present embodiment. FIGS.17 to 19 are process drawings illustrating the method for assembling theroll sheet assembly 100 according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, when the roll sheet assembly 100 starts to beassembled, the pair of flanges 130A and 130B of the roll sheet assembly100, the inner shaft 140, the cardboard tube 110 and the roll sheet 120are separated. It is assumed that the cardboard tube 110, the roll sheet120, the flanges 130A and 130B, and the inner shaft 140 start to beassembled.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, first, the flange 130A is joined to the end141A of the inner shaft 140. Specifically, the end 141A of the innershaft 140 is inserted into the mating unit 134 of the flange 130A tomate with each other, and the concave portion 142 at the end 141A islocked by the locking pawl 135 of the mating unit 134. The flange 130Ais hereby securely fixed to the inner shaft 140. Thereafter, asillustrated in FIG. 17, the inner shaft 140, to which the flange 130Ahas been joined, is inserted into the cardboard tube 110 of the rollsheet 120.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the other end 141B of the inner shaft140, which has been inserted into the cardboard tube 110, is joined tothe other flange 130A. Specifically, the other end 141B of the innershaft 140 is inserted into the mating unit 134 of the flange 130B tomate with each other, and the concave portion 142 at the other end 141Bis locked by the locking pawl 135 of the mating unit 134. The flange130B is hereby securely fixed to the inner shaft 140.

As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the flanges 130A and 130B arecoupled by the inner shaft 140, which has been inserted through thecardboard tube 110, with the roll sheet 120 and the cardboard tube 110sandwiched between the flanges 130A and 130B, and the assembly of theroll sheet assembly 100 is completed.

As described above, in the method for assembling the roll sheet assembly100 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily andquickly assemble the roll sheet assembly 100 only by joining the flanges130A and 130B, the inner shaft 140, the roll sheet 120, and thecardboard tube 110. Moreover, since the both flanges 130A and 130B arefirmly coupled with the inner shaft 140 in the assembled roll sheetassembly 100, the flanges 130A and 130B are not easy to detach from theroll sheet 120 and the cardboard tube 110.

[1.5. Method for Disassembling Roll Sheet Assembly]

Next, FIGS. 20 to 23 will be seen to describe a method for disassemblingthe roll sheet assembly 100 according to the present embodiment. FIGS.20 and 21 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, each ofwhich illustrates the roll sheet assembly 100 after the roll sheet 120according to the present embodiment is completely used out. FIG. 22 is aprocess drawing illustrating a method for disassembling the flange 130Aof the roll sheet assembly 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG.23 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the roll sheet assembly 100with the flange 130A according to the present embodiment separated.

As illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, when the roll sheet 120 of the rollsheet assembly 100 is completely used out and the roll sheet 120 is notleft, the cardboard tube 100 is exposed between the pair of flanges 130Aand 130B. The description will be made regarding a procedure fordisassembling the roll sheet assembly 100 in this state into thecardboard tube 110, the flange 130A, the flange 130B, and the innershaft 140.

First, a user applies force to the flange main body 133 of the flange130A in a direction separated from the cardboard tube 110. Asillustrated in FIG. 22, the flange main body 133 of the flange 130A ishereby cut along the cutting line 150, and the flange main body 133 isseparated from the inner shaft 140 and the cardboard tube 110.

Specifically, first, as illustrated in FIG. 22A, the flange main body133 of the flange 130A starts to be cut by using the notch 153 on theperipheral edge of the flange main body 133 as an opening slit. Then, asillustrated in FIGS. 22A and 22B, the flange main body 133 is spirallycut along the spiral cutting line 152 from the outer circumference tothe inner circumference. Next, after a part that is cut along the spiralcutting line 152 reaches the cyclic cutting line 151, portions allaround the mating unit 134 of the flange main body 133 are cut along thecyclic cutting line 151 in a cyclic way.

As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 22C, the flange main body 133 iscompletely cut along the cyclic cutting line 151 so that the flange mainbody 133, the mating unit 134, and the inner shaft 140 are separated.The mating unit 134 still remains mated with the inner shaft 140. A part133 c of the inner circumference of the flange main body 133 inside thecyclic cutting line 151 remains around the mating unit 134, which doesnot interfere with the following disassembling procedures because thepart 133 c can pass through the cardboard tube 110 as far as the outerdiameter of the part 133 c is smaller than the inner diameter of thecardboard tube 110.

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 23, the mating unit 134 and the innershaft 140 are pulled out from the cardboard tube 110 in the state inwhich the inner shaft 140 remains joined to the mating unit 134 that hasbeen separated from the flange main body 133. The roll sheet assembly100 is hereby disassembled into the flange main body 133 of the flange130A, the cardboard tube 110, the inner shaft 140, and the flange 130B.

As described above, it is possible to easily disassemble the used rollsheet assembly 100 into the cardboard tube 110 of a paper material and aroll sheet flange (flanges 130A and 130B, and inner shaft 140) of asynthetic resin material. It becomes hereby possible to separatelycollect and waste the roll sheet assembly 100 in accordance with thematerials. It is further possible to reduce the volume (quantity) of thewaste much more than the waste thrown away if the used roll sheetassembly 100 is not disassembled.

Thereafter, the flange main body 133 of the other flange 130B may besimilarly cut along the spiral cutting line 152 and the cyclic cuttingline 151 to separate the flange 130B from the inner shaft 140. It ishereby possible to further reduce the volume of the waste. If the otherflange 130B does not have to be disassembled from the inner shaft 140,the cutting line 150 does not have to be formed on the other flange 130and the other flange 130B may be integrated with the inner shaft 140without providing the mating unit 134 on the flange 130B.

[1.6. Conclusion]

As explained above, the detailed description has been made regarding theroll sheet assembly 100 according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure. According to the present embodiment, it is possible todeliver information regarding the state (such as a remaining amount of asheet and a mounted state) of the roll sheet assembly 100 from the rollsheet assembly 100 to the printer 1 owing to the easy and inexpensiveconfiguration in which the flanges 130 each having the ring convexportion 132 and the like formed on the outer surface are attached to therespective sides of the roll sheet 120.

Since the symmetrical two flanges 130 are coupled by the inner shaft 140that has been inserted into the cardboard tube 110, the both flanges 130can be securely attached to the respective ends of the cardboard tube110 and the roll sheet 120. Thus, the flange 130 is not easily detachedfrom the cardboard tube 110 and the roll sheet 120 before and while theroll sheet assembly 100 is used.

Furthermore, the cutting line 150 that is easy to cut is formed on theflange 130 of the roll sheet assembly 100 in advance. It is herebypossible to easily separate the cardboard 110, the flange 130, and theinner shaft 140 by cutting the flange 130 along the cutting line 150 anddisassembling the flange 130 from the inner shaft 140 when the used rollsheet assembly 100 is wasted. Thus, it is also possible to easilydisassemble and sort out the remaining parts (cardboard tube 110, flange130, and inner shaft 140) of the used roll sheet assembly 100.Consequently, it is possible to facilitate resources such as paper andsynthetic resin to be effectively used, reused, and the like because thewaste of the roll sheet assembly 100 can be separately collected foreach material.

Furthermore, the used roll sheet assembly 100 can be disassembled intoas small a part as each part before assembled so that it is possible tofurther enhance capacity of disassembly of the roll sheet assembly 100upon being wasted. Thus, the volume of the waste of the roll sheetassembly 100 can be reduced so as not to grow voluminous. Thus, it ispossible to enhance efficiency of keeping, transferring, and throwingaway the waste, or the like.

2. Second Embodiment

Next, the description will be made regarding a roll sheet assembly 200according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. A cuttingline 250, which is formed on a flange main body, includes a cycliccutting line 251 and a plurality of linear cutting lines 252 in thesecond embodiment. The linear cutting lines 252 are an example of thecoupling cutting line, and correspond to the spiral cutting line 152 inthe first embodiment. The roll sheet assembly 200 according to thesecond embodiment is different from the roll sheet assembly 100according to the first embodiment mainly in configurations of thecoupling cutting line (linear cutting lines 252) and an inner shaft 240,but the other functional configurations are substantially the same asthe functional configurations of the first embodiment. Consequently, thedetailed description will be omitted.

[2.1. Configuration of Roll Sheet Assembly]

First of all, the description will be made regarding a configuration ofthe roll sheet assembly 200 according to the second embodiment.

[2.1.1. Whole Configuration of Roll Sheet Assembly]

First, FIGS. 24 to 26 will be seen to describe the whole configurationof the roll sheet assembly 200 according to the second embodiment indetail. FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the roll sheetassembly 200 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 25 is anassembled perspective view of the roll sheet assembly 200 according tothe present embodiment. FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view illustrating ajoint between the flange 230 and the inner shaft 240 of the roll sheetassembly 200 according to the present embodiment. Additionally, FIGS. 24to 26 omit the cardboard tube 110 and the roll sheet 120 of the rollsheet assembly 200 for convenience of explanation.

As illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25, the roll sheet assembly 200 includesthe cardboard tube 110, the roll sheet 120, a symmetrical pair offlanges 230A and 230B (which may be generically referred to as “flange230,” hereinafter) disposed at the respective ends of the cardboard tube110 in the axis direction, and the inner shaft 240 that is insertedthrough the cardboard tube 110 to couple the pair of flanges 230A and230B.

The inner shaft 240 according to the second embodiment is a circularstick member having substantially the same length as the cardboard tube110. An outer diameter of the inner shaft 240 is smaller than the innerdiameter of the cardboard tube 110 so that an inner shaft 240 can beinserted into the cardboard tube 110. Both ends 241A and 241B (which maybe generically referred to as “end 241,” hereinafter) of the inner shaft240 function as a portion to be joined for joining the flange 230 to theinner shaft 240.

The inner shaft 240 is inserted through a hollow space inside thecardboard tube 110. The end 241A of the inner shaft 240 is joined to theflange 230A, and the other end 241B of the inner shaft 240 is joined tothe other flange 230B. The inner shaft 240 in the illustrated example isa round stick member having a circular cross-section, and the shape isdifferent from the square inner shaft 140 according to the firstembodiment. However, the inner shaft 240 has substantially the samefunction as the inner shaft 140. The end 241 of the inner shaft 240 isalso substantially cylindrical. A cyclic concave portion 242 that mateswith a mating unit 243 of the flange 230, which will be described below,is formed on the outer circumference of the end 241.

The flange 230 according to the second embodiment is the same as theflange 130 according to the first embodiment but a shape of a matingunit 234 and the configuration of the cutting line 250, which will bedescribed below. That is, the flange 230 includes a disk-shaped flangemain body 233 and the mating unit 234 that is a joint for joining theflange main body 233 to the inner shaft 240. A convex portion such asthe ring convex portion 232 (corresponding to the ring convex portion132) for detecting a state of the roll sheet assembly 200 projects on anouter surface 233 a of the flange main body 233. To the contrary, thecylindrical mating unit 234 that mates with the end 241 of the innershaft 240 projects at the center of an inner surface 233 b of the flangemain body 233.

Here, the mating unit 234 has a shape that allows the mating unit 234 tobe inserted into the cardboard tube 110, and to mate with the end 241 ofthe inner shaft 240. In the illustrated example, the mating unit 234 hasa cylindrical shape that allows the end 241 of the inner shaft 240inserted therein. As illustrated in FIG. 26, a cyclic locking pawl 235that mates with the concave portion 242 at the end 241 of the innershaft 240 projects on the inner circumferential surface of the matingunit 234.

The mating structure allows the end 241 of the inner shaft 240 to beinserted into the mating unit 234 of the flange 230 to mate the concaveportion 234 at the end 241 with the locking pawl 235 of the mating unit234. Since the end 241 of the inner shaft 240 is hereby locked by thelocking pawl 235 of the mating unit 234, the end 241 of the inner shaft240 can be firmly joined to the mating unit 234 of the flange 230. Theflange 230 can therefore be prevented from being detached from thecardboard tube 110. The use of the mating structure also allows theinner shaft 240 to be relatively easily joined to the flange 230 withoutan additional adhesive.

[2.1.2. Configurations of Cutting Lines]

Next, FIGS. 24 to 26 will be seen to describe the cutting line 250formed on the flange 230 according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in FIGS. 24 to 26, the flange main body 233 of the flange230 according to the present embodiment has the cutting line 250 formedthereon for separating the mating unit 234 that has been joined to theinner shaft 240 from the flange main body 233. The cutting line 250includes the cyclic cutting line 251 that is formed around the matingunit 234 on the flange main body 233, and the two linear cutting lines252 that couple the peripheral edge of the flange main body 233 with thecyclic cutting line 251.

The cyclic cutting line 251 is formed so as to surround portions allaround the circular mating unit 234 of the flange main body 233, and is,for example, a circular cutting line. The cyclic cutting line 251 doesnot reach the peripheral edge of the flange main body 233, and remainsinside the flange main body 233. The cyclic cutting line 251 is alsofavorably formed as close to the mating unit 234 as possible in the sameway as the cyclic cutting line 151 according to the first embodiment. Itbecomes hereby possible to pull out the separated mating unit 234 alongwith the inner shaft 240 from the cardboard tube 110 when the flangemain body 233 is cut along the cyclic cutting line 251.

The linear cutting lines 252 are an example of the coupling cutting linethat couples the peripheral edge of the flange main body 233 with thecyclic cutting line 251. In the illustrated example, the two linearcutting lines 252 are formed on the same line that passes the center ofthe flange main body 233. An end on the inner circumference of eachlinear cutting line 252 is connected to the cyclic cutting line 251, anda notch 253 is formed at an end (position on an outer edge of the flangemain body 233) on the outer circumference of each linear cutting line252.

In the same way as the spiral cutting line 152 according to the firstembodiment, the linear cutting lines 252 have a function of guidingopening slits on the flange main body 233 from the peripheral edge ofthe flange main body 233 to the cyclic cutting line 251. That is, whenthe flange main body 233 is cut, first, the flange main body 233 is cutfrom the both sides to the cyclic cutting line 251 along the two linearcutting lines 252 by using the two notches 253 on the peripheral edge ofthe flange main body 233 as opening slits. It becomes hereby possible tocut portions around the mating unit 234 of the flange main body 233along the cyclic cutting line 251.

The coupling cutting line includes the two linear cutting lines 252 inthis way so that it becomes possible to easily cut the flange main body233 in a short cutting length from the peripheral edge of the flangemain body 233 to the cyclic cutting line 251. Additionally, the cycliccutting line 251 and the linear cutting lines 252 are also formed byusing the perforations 155, the cutting guide kerfs 156, or the like(see FIGS. 14 and 15). Consequently, once a user applies external forceto the flange 130, the cyclic cutting line 251 and the linear cuttinglines 252 can be easily cut.

A plurality of arc-shaped slits 255 are formed on the cyclic cuttingline 251. The slits 255 are elongate gaps penetrating the flange mainbody 233, and are formed along the cyclic cutting line 251. Since theslits 255 allow a part of the cyclic cutting line 251 to be cut inadvance, it is possible to cut the flange main body 233 more smoothlyalong the cyclic cutting line 251. Although not illustrated, the slitsmay be formed in advance at a site 254 on the flange main body 233 atwhich the linear cutting lines 252 intersect the ring convex portion 232(see the slit 157 in FIG. 16). The relatively thick intersection site254 can be hereby cut in advance so that the flange main body 233 can becut more smoothly along the linear cutting lines 252.

[2.2. Method for Disassembling Roll Sheet Assembly]

Next, FIGS. 27 to 30 will be seen to describe a method for disassemblingthe roll sheet assembly 200 according to the present embodiment. FIGS.27 and 28 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view,respectively, each of which illustrates the roll sheet assembly 200after the roll sheet 120 according to the present embodiment iscompletely used out. FIGS. 29 and 30 are a perspective view and across-sectional view, respectively, each of which illustrates the rollsheet assembly 200 with the flange 230A according to the presentembodiment separated.

Since a method for assembling the roll sheet assembly 200 according tothe present embodiment is substantially the same as the method forassembling the roll sheet assembly 100 according to the firstembodiment, the detailed description will be omitted.

As illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28, when the roll sheet 120 of the rollsheet assembly 200 is completely used out and the roll sheet 120 is notleft, the cardboard tube 100 is exposed between the pair of flanges 230Aand 230B. The description will be made regarding a procedure ofdisassembling the roll sheet assembly 200 in this state into thecardboard tube 110, the flange 230A, the flange 230B, and the innershaft 240.

First, a user applies force to the flange main body 233 of the flange230A in a direction separated from the cardboard tube 110. The userhereby cuts the flange main body 233 of the flange 230A along thecutting line 250 to separate the flange main body 233 from the innershaft 240 and the cardboard tube 110.

Specifically, first, the user linearly cuts the flange main body 233along the two linear cutting lines 252 from the outer circumferencetoward the inner circumference by using the two notches 253 on theperipheral edge of the flange main body 233 of the flange 230A asopening slits. Next, after a part that has been cut along the linearcutting lines 252 reaches the cyclic cutting line 251, portions allaround the mating unit 234 of the flange main body 233 are cut along thecyclic cutting line 251 in a cyclic way. Since the plurality of slits255 have been formed on a part of the cyclic cutting line 251 inadvance, the flange main body 233 can be easily cut along the cycliccutting line 251.

As a result, as illustrated in FIGS. 29 and 30, the flange main body 233is completely cut along the cyclic cutting line 251 so that the flangemain body 233, the mating unit 234, and the inner shaft 240 areseparated. The mating unit 234 still remains mated with the inner shaft240. A part 233 c of the inner circumference of the flange main body 233inside the cyclic cutting line 251 remains around the mating unit 234,which does not interfere with the following disassembling proceduresbecause the part 233 c can pass through the cardboard tube 110 as far asthe outer diameter of the part 233 c is smaller than the inner diameterof the cardboard tube 110.

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 30, the mating unit 234 and the innershaft 240 are pulled out from the cardboard tube 110 with the innershaft 240 joined to the mating unit 234 that has been separated from theflange main body 233. The roll sheet assembly 200 is hereby disassembledinto the flange main body 233 of the flange 230A, the cardboard tube110, the inner shaft 240, and the flange 230B. Thereafter, the flangemain body 233 of the other flange 230B may be similarly cut along thelinear cutting lines 252 and the cyclic cutting line 251 to disassemblethe flange 230B and the inner shaft 240.

As described above, the used roll sheet assembly 200 can be easilydisassembled into the cardboard tube 110 of a paper material and theroll sheet flange (flanges 230A and 230B, and inner shaft 240) of asynthetic resin material. It becomes hereby possible to separatelycollect and waste the roll sheet assembly 200 in accordance with thematerials. It is further possible to reduce the volume (quantity) of thewaste much more than the waste thrown away if the used roll sheetassembly 200 is not disassembled.

[2.3. Modified Examples]

Next, FIG. 31 will be seen to describe modified examples of the flange230 of the roll sheet assembly 200 according to the present embodiment.FIG. 31 is a perspective view illustrating the modified examples of theflange 230 of the roll sheet assembly 200 according to the presentembodiment.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 31A, a rectangular mating unit 236 isprovided at the center of the flange main body 233. An inner surface ofthe mating unit 236 has a locking pawl 237 formed thereon, which locks aconcave portion 142 at an end 141 of a square inner shaft 140. An ovalcyclic cutting line 251 is formed around the rectangular mating unit236, and two arc-shaped slits 255 are formed on the cyclic cutting line251. The two slits 255 are symmetrically disposed on the respectivesides of the mating unit 236 in the longitudinal direction. The twolinear cutting lines 252 are formed so as to couple the outer edge ofthe flange main body 233 with the two slits 255 on the cyclic cuttingline 251. The two linear cutting lines 252 are disposed on the same linethat passes the center of the flange main body 233.

The configuration allows the flange main body 233 to be cut along thetwo linear cutting lines 252, and further allows portions around therectangular mating unit 236 of the flange main body 233 to be cut alongthe cyclic cutting line 251 and the slits 255 in a rectangular shape.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 31B, a circular mating unit 234 isprovided at the center of the flange main body 233. The innercircumferential surface of the mating unit 234 has a cyclic locking pawl235 formed thereon, which locks a cyclic concave portion 242 at an end241 of a circular inner shaft 240. The circular cyclic cutting line 251is formed around the circular mating unit 234, and four arc-shaped slits255 are formed on the cyclic cutting line 251. The four slits 255 aredisposed in a circumferential direction of the circular mating unit 234at the same intervals. Four linear cutting lines 252 are formed so as tocouple the outer edge of the flange main body 233 with the four slits255 on the cyclic cutting line 251. Two of the linear cutting lines 252are disposed in the circumferential direction at the same intervals soas to radically extend from the center of the flange main body 233.

The configuration allows the flange main body 233 to be cut along thefour linear cutting lines 252, and further allows portions around thecircular mating unit 234 of the flange main body 233 to be cut along thecyclic cutting line 251 and the slits 255.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 31C, a rectangular mating unit 236 isprovided at the center of the flange main body 233. An inner surface ofthe mating unit 236 has a locking pawl 237 formed thereon, which locks aconcave portion 142 at an end 141 of a square inner shaft 140. Arectangular cyclic cutting line 251 is formed around the rectangularmating unit 236, and four L-shaped slits 257 are formed at the cornersof the cyclic cutting line 251. Two linear cutting lines 252 are formedso as to couple the outer edge of the flange main body 233 with the twoslits 257 on the cyclic cutting line 251. The two linear cutting lines252 deviate from a line that passes the center of the flange main body233, and extend from the slits 257 to the outer edge of the flange mainbody 233 in a direction parallel to a long edge of the rectangularcyclic cutting line 251.

The configuration allows the flange main body 233 to be cut along thetwo linear cutting lines 252, and further allows portions around therectangular mating unit 236 of the flange main body 233 to be cut alongthe cyclic cutting line 251 and the slits 257.

It has been described in the above examples that the slits 255 and 257are formed on the cyclic cutting line 251. However, no slit may beformed. It has also been described that a plurality of linear cuttinglines 252 are formed, but only a single line may also be formed. Thecoupling cutting line is not limited to the example as the linearcutting lines 252. Any form such as a curve and a zigzag may be adoptedas the cutting line.

[2.4. Conclusion]

As explained above, the detailed description has been made regarding theroll sheet assembly 200 according to the second embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The roll sheet assembly 200 according to the secondembodiment has the following advantageous effects in addition to theadvantageous effects that the roll sheet assembly 100 according to thefirst embodiment has.

According to the second embodiment, the linear cutting lines 252 areincluded as the coupling cutting line that couples the outer edge of theflange main body 233 with the cyclic cutting line 251. The flange mainbody 233 hereby only has to be linearly cut along the linear cuttinglines 252 so that it is easy to cut the flange main body 233 from theouter edge to the cyclic cutting line 251. Moreover, the plurality oflinear lines 252 allow the flange main body 233 to be cut part by partso that it becomes further easier to cut the flange main body 233.

3. Third Embodiment

Next, the description will be made regarding a roll sheet assemblyaccording to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Only thecyclic cutting line 351 is formed as the cutting line on the flange mainbody in the third embodiment. The coupling cutting line (spiral cuttingline 152 and linear cutting lines 252) that couples the cyclic cuttingline 351 with the outer edge of the flange main body is not formed. Theroll sheet assembly according to the third assembly is different fromthe roll sheet assembly 100 according to the first embodiment mainly inthat the coupling cutting line is not formed. Since the other functionalconfigurations are substantially the same as the functionalconfigurations according to the first embodiment, the detaileddescription will be omitted.

[3.1. Configuration of Cutting Line]

First, FIG. 32 will be seen to describe a cutting line formed on aflange 330 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 32 is a perspectiveview illustrating the flange 330 of the roll sheet assembly according tothe present embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 32, the flange 330 according to the thirdembodiment is the same as the flange 130 according to the firstembodiment but a configuration of the cutting line. That is, the flange330 includes a disk-shaped flange main body 333, and mating units 334and 336 that are joints for joining the flange main body 333 to theinner shaft 140. A convex portion such as a ring convex portion 332(corresponding to the ring convex portion 132) for detecting a state ofthe roll sheet assembly projects on an outer surface 333 a of the flangemain body 333. To the contrary, square cylindrical or cylindrical matingunits 334 and 336 that mate with the end 141 of the inner shaft 140project at the center of an inner surface of the flange main body 333.

As illustrated in FIG. 32, the flange main body 333 of the flange 330according to the present embodiment has only the cyclic cutting line 351formed thereon as a cutting line for separating the mating units 334 and336 joined to the inner shaft 140 from the flange main body 333. Thecyclic cutting line 351 is a cyclic cutting line formed so as tosurround portions all around the mating units 334 and 336 in the flangemain body 333. The cyclic cutting line 351 does not reach a peripheraledge of the flange main body 333, and remains inside the flange mainbody 333.

More specifically, a square cylindrical mating unit 334 is provided atthe center of the flange main body 333 in the example illustrated inFIG. 32A. An inner surface of the mating unit 334 has a locking pawl 335formed thereon, which locks a concave portion 142 at an end 141 of asquare inner shaft 140. An elliptic cyclic cutting line 351 is formedaround the rectangular mating unit 334, and two elliptic arc-shapedslits 355 are formed on the cyclic cutting line 351. The two slits 355are symmetrically disposed on the both sides of the mating unit 334 in alongitudinal direction.

Meanwhile, a cylindrical mating unit 336 is provided at the center ofthe flange main body 333 in the example illustrated in FIG. 32B. Aninner surface of the mating unit 336 has a cyclic locking pawl 337formed thereon, which locks a cyclic concave portion 242 at an end 241of a circular inner shaft 240. A circular cyclic cutting line 351 isformed around the circular mating unit 336, and four arc-shaped slits355 are formed on the cyclic cutting line 351. The four slits 355 aredisposed in a circumferential direction of the circular mating unit 334at the same intervals.

As described above, the flange 330 according to the present embodimenthas only the cyclic cutting line 351 formed thereon, but does not have acoupling cutting line formed thereon, which couples the cyclic cuttingline 351 with the peripheral edge of the flange main body 333. However,it is possible in this configuration to cut portions all around themating units 334 and 336 of the flange main body 333 along the cycliccutting line 351, and to separate the mating units 334 and 336 joined tothe inner shaft 140 from the flange main body 333.

That is, force is applied to the flange main body 333 of the flange 330in a direction separated from the cardboard tube 110 to deform an outercircumference of the flange main body 333 in separating the roll sheetassembly according to the present embodiment. Namely, external forcethat pulls the flange main body 333 apart from the cardboard tube 110 isapplied to the flange main body 333. The external force directly causessites around the mating units 334 and 336 mated with the inner shaft 140to be distorted so that the flange main body 333 starts to be cut fromone side of the cyclic cutting line 351 present at the sites and theflange main body 333 is completely cut along the cyclic cutting line351.

Since the slits 355 have been formed on the cyclic cutting line 351 inadvance, the flange main body 333 becomes easy to start to be cut alongthe cyclic cutting line 351 by using the slits 355 as starting points.When the cyclic cutting line 351 is cyclic in a curve shape such as acircle and an ellipse, it becomes easier to start to cut the flange mainbody 333 because external force is likely to be concentrated on onepoint on the cyclic cutting line 351.

If applying force to the flange main body 333 and cutting the flangemain body 333 along the cyclic cutting line 351 in the above-describedway, the mating units 334 and 336 can be separated from the flange mainbody 333. In the same way as the first and second embodiments, themating units 334 and 336, and the inner shaft 140 are hereby pulled outfrom the cardboard tube 110 in the state in which the inner shaft 140 isjoined to the mating units 334 and 336 that have been separated from theflange main body 333. The roll sheet assembly is hereby disassembledinto the flange main body 333 of one of the flanges 330, the cardboardtube 110, the inner shaft 140, and the other flange 330. Thereafter, theflange main body 333 of the other flange 330 may be similarly cut alongthe cyclic cutting line 351 to disassemble the flange 330 and the innershaft 140.

As described above, it is possible to easily disassemble the used rollsheet assembly into the cardboard tube 110 of a paper material and theroll sheet flange (flanges 330 and 330, and inner shaft 140) of asynthetic resin material. It becomes hereby possible to separatelycollect and waste the roll sheet assembly in accordance with thematerials. It is further possible to reduce the volume (quantity) of thewaste much more than the waste thrown away if the used roll sheetassembly is not disassembled.

[3.2. Conclusion]

As explained above, the detailed description has been made regarding theroll sheet assembly according to the third embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The roll sheet assembly according to the third embodimenthas the following advantageous effects in addition to the advantageouseffects that the roll sheet assembly 100 according to the firstembodiment has.

According to the third embodiment, only the cyclic cutting line 351 hasto be formed as a cutting line on the flange main body 333, and nocoupling cutting line may be formed. Thus, it is possible to reduce aburden and a cost for processing the flange 330. Furthermore, since nocoupling cutting line is formed, strength of the flange main body 333can be enhanced. Thus, it is possible to prevent the flange main body333 from being unintentionally cut before and while the roll sheetassembly is used, and to prevent the flange 330 from being detached fromthe cardboard tube 110.

4. Fourth Embodiment

Next, the description will be made regarding a roll sheet assemblyaccording to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. Only a splitcutting line 451 is formed as a cutting line on the flange main body inthe fourth embodiment. The cyclic cutting lines 151, 251, and 351, andthe coupling cutting line (spiral cutting line 152 and linear cuttinglines 252) are not formed. The roll sheet assembly according to thefourth embodiment is different from the roll sheet assembly 100according to the first embodiment mainly in that the split cutting line451 is formed. Since the other functional configurations aresubstantially the same as the functional configurations according to thefirst embodiment, the detailed description will be omitted.

[4.1. Configuration of Cutting Line]

First, FIGS. 33 and 34 will be seen to describe the split cutting line451 that is formed on a flange 430 according to the fourth embodiment.FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating the flange 430 of the rollsheet assembly according to the present embodiment. FIG. 34 is aperspective view illustrating a mating unit 434 of the flange 430according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in FIGS. 33 and 34, the flange 430 according to thefourth embodiment is the same as the flange 130 according to the firstembodiment but a configuration of the cutting line. That is, the flange430 includes a disk-shaped flange main body 433, and mating units 434and 436 that are joints for joining the flange main body 433 to theinner shaft 140. A convex portion such as a ring convex portion 432(corresponding to the ring convex portion 132) for detecting a state ofthe roll sheet assembly projects on an outer surface 433 a of the flangemain body 433. To the contrary, a square cylindrical mating unit 434that mates with the end 141 of the inner shaft 140 projects at thecenter of an inner surface of the flange main body 433.

Only the split cutting line 451 is formed on the flange main body 433 ofthe flange 430 according to the present embodiment as a cutting line forseparating a part of the mating unit 434 joined to the inner shaft 140from the flange main body 433. The split cutting line 451 is formed soas to split the flange main body 433 and the mating unit 434. Two linearsplit cutting lines 451 are formed, which reach the mating unit 434 fromthe peripheral edges on the both sides of the flange main body 433 inthe example illustrated in FIG. 33. The flange main body 433 and themating unit 434 are cut along the split cutting lines 451, and it ispossible to destroy the mating unit 434 mated with the inner shaft 140.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 34, a square cylindricalmating unit 434 projects at the center of an inner surface 433 b of theflange main body 433. An end 141 of the inner shaft 140 can be insertedinto the mating unit 434. An inner surface of the mating unit 434 has alocking pawl 435 formed thereon, which locks a concave portion 142 atthe end 141 of the inner shaft 140. The locking pawl 435 locks theconcave portion 142 so that the mating unit 434 mates with the end 141of the inner shaft 140.

If separating one side surface 434 a of the mating unit 434 anddestroying the mating unit 434, it is possible to separate the matingunit 434 from the end 141 of the inner shaft 140. It is thereforeassumed in the present embodiment that the split cutting line 451 isformed on the flange main body 433, and the flange main body 433 can becut from the outer edge to the mating unit 434. Furthermore, slashes 452and 452 are formed at the corners on the both sides of the one sidesurface 434 a of the square cylindrical mating unit 434.

If cutting the flange main body 433 along the two split cutting lines451 and 451 according to the configuration, the two split cutting lines451 are coupled with the two splashes 452 and 452 to split the flangemain body 433 and the mating unit 434. That is, not only the flange mainbody 433 is separated into two members, but the mating unit 434 is alsoseparated into two members (side surface 434 a, and side surfaces 434 b,434 c and 434 d), and destroyed. A mating structure of the end 141 ofthe inner shaft 140 and the mating unit 434 is also destroyed so that itbecomes possible to separate the inner shaft 140 from the flange mainbody 433.

Meanwhile, FIG. 35 is a perspective view illustrating the mating unit234 of the flange 230 in FIG. 31A according to the second embodiment. Asillustrated in FIG. 35, the cyclic cutting line 251 and the slits 255are formed around the flange 230 in the second embodiment, and thelinear cutting lines 252 that couples the slits 255 on the cycliccutting line 251 with the outer edge of the flange main body 233 arealso formed. According to the configuration, the flange main body 233 iscut along the cyclic cutting line 251 and the linear cutting lines 252so that it is possible to separate the mating unit 234 from the flangemain body 233. Thus, the slashes 452 (see FIG. 34) do not have to beformed at the corners of the square cylindrical mating unit 234.

However, the square cylindrical mating unit 434 is also separated in theflange 430 according to the fourth embodiment so that the mating unit434 is destroyed and it becomes possible to separate the inner shaft 140from the flange main body 433. The split cutting line 451 is thereforeformed on the flange main body 433 in advance, and the slashes 452 arealso formed at the corners of the mating unit 434 in the fourthembodiment. The split cutting line 451 may be extended on the matingunit 434 instead of the slashes 452, and both the flange main body 433and the mating unit 434 may be cut along the split cutting line 451.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the split cutting line 451and the notches 452 allow the flange main body 433 and the mating unit434 to be split to destroy the mating unit 434. Since the flange 430 canhereby be separated from the inner shaft 140, it is possible topreferably disassemble the roll sheet assembly. That is, if applyingforce to the flange main body 433, and cutting the flange main body 433along the split cutting line 451, the mating unit 434 can be split intoa part (side surface 434 a) and the other parts (side surfaces 434 b,434 c, and 434 d).

The structure of the flange 430 allows the used roll sheet assembly tobe disassembled. Specifically, first, the flange main body 433 is cutalong the split cutting line 451 on one of the flanges 430 to destroythe mating unit 434, and to separate the flange 430 from the inner shaft140. The inner shaft 140 is pulled out from the cardboard tube 110. Theroll sheet assembly is hereby disassembled into one of the flanges 430,the cardboard tube 110, the inner shaft 140, and the other flange 430.Thereafter, the flange main body 433 of the other flange 430 may besimilarly cut along the split cutting line 451 to disassemble the flange430 and the inner shaft 140.

As described above, it is possible to easily disassemble the used rollsheet assembly into the cardboard tube 110 of a paper material, and theroll sheet flange (flanges 430 and 430, and inner shaft 140) of asynthetic resin material. It becomes hereby possible to separatelycollect and waste the roll sheet assembly in accordance with thematerials. It is further possible to reduce the volume (quantity) of thewaste much more than the waste thrown away if the used roll sheetassembly is not disassembled.

[4.2. Modified Example]

Next, FIG. 36 will be seen to describe a modified example of the flange430 of the roll sheet assembly according to the present embodiment. FIG.36 is a perspective view illustrating the modified example of the flange430 of the roll sheet assembly according to the present embodiment.

A circular mating unit 436 is provided at the center of the flange mainbody 433 in the example illustrated in FIG. 36. An inner surface of themating unit 436 has a cyclic locking pawl 437 formed thereon, whichlocks a cyclic concave portion 242 at the end 241 of the inner shaft240. The two split cutting lines 451 are formed such that the circularmating unit 436 and the flange main body 433 are split. The two splitcutting lines 451 are formed at a position at which the two splitcutting lines 451 split the center of the circular mating unit 436.

According to the configuration, the flange main body 433 is cut alongthe two split cutting lines 451, and the mating unit 436 is also cutalong the split cutting lines 451 so that the mating unit 436 can bedestroyed. It becomes hereby possible to separate the flange main body433 from the inner shaft 140 joined to the mating unit 436.

[4.3. Conclusion]

As explained above, the detailed description has been made regarding theroll sheet assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The roll sheet assembly according to the fourth embodimenthas the following advantageous effects in addition to the advantageouseffects that the roll sheet assembly 100 according to the firstembodiment has.

Only the split cutting line 451 has to be formed as a cutting line onthe flange main body 433 in the fourth embodiment, and no other lineshave to be formed. Thus, it is possible to reduce a burden and a costfor processing the flange 430.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.

-   (1) A roll sheet assembly including:

a cardboard tube;

a roll sheet wound around the cardboard tube;

a pair of flanges each disposed at one of both ends of the cardboardtube; and

an inner shaft being inserted through the cardboard tube, and couplingthe pair of flanges,

wherein at least one of the flanges includes

-   -   a flange main body covering an end face of the roll sheet, and    -   a joint provided at a center of an inner surface of the flange        main body, and joined to an end of the inner shaft, and

wherein the flange main body has a cutting line formed thereon, thecutting line being for separating the joint joined to the inner shaftfrom the flange main body.

-   (2) The roll sheet assembly according to (1), wherein the cutting    line includes a cyclic cutting line that is formed around the joint    on the flange main body.-   (3) The roll sheet assembly according to (2), wherein the cutting    line includes one or more coupling cutting lines that couple an    outer edge of the flange main body with the cyclic cutting line.-   (4) The roll sheet assembly according to (3),

wherein the roll sheet assembly is mountable on a holder, the holderbeing provided in a printer,

wherein an outer surface of the flange main body has a convex portionformed thereon, the convex portion being detected by a sensor disposedon the holder, and

wherein the coupling cutting lines are formed in a manner that thecoupling cutting lines intersect the convex portion.

-   (5) The roll sheet assembly according to (4), wherein a slit is    formed at a site on the flange main body, the coupling cutting lines    intersecting the convex portion at the site.-   (6) The roll sheet assembly according to any one of (3) to (5),    wherein the coupling cutting lines include a single spiral cutting    line that couples the outer edge of the flange main body with the    cyclic cutting line.-   (7) The roll sheet assembly according to any one of (3) to (5),    wherein the coupling cutting lines include a plurality of linear    cutting lines that couple the outer edge of the flange main body    with the cyclic cutting line.-   (8) The roll sheet assembly according to any one of (2) to (7),    wherein one or more slits are formed on the cyclic cutting line.-   (9) The roll sheet assembly according to any one of (1) to (8),    wherein the joint includes a mating unit that mates with the end of    the inner shaft.-   (10) The roll sheet assembly according to (9), wherein the cutting    line includes a split cutting line that splits the flange main body    and the mating unit.-   (11) The roll sheet assembly according to any one of (1) to (10),    wherein the cutting line includes perforations or a cutting guide    kerf.-   (12) The roll sheet assembly according to any one of (1) to (11),    wherein, when force is applied to the flange main body in a    direction separated from the cardboard tube, the flange main body is    cut along the cutting line and at least a part of the joint joined    to the inner shaft is separated from the flange main body.-   (13) A roll sheet flange including:

a pair of flanges each disposed at one of both ends of a cardboard tubearound which a roll sheet is wound; and

an inner shaft coupling the pair of flanges, the inner shaft beinginserted through the cardboard tube in an axis direction,

wherein at least one of the flanges includes

-   -   a flange main body covering an end face of the roll sheet, and    -   a joint provided at a center of an inner surface of the flange        main body, and joined to an end of the inner shaft, and

wherein the flange main body has a cutting line formed thereon, thecutting line separating the joint joined to the inner shaft from theflange main body.

The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosedin Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2012-196415 filed in theJapan Patent Office on Sep. 6, 2012, the entire content of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A roll sheet assembly comprising: a cardboardtube; a roll sheet wound around the cardboard tube; a pair of flangeseach disposed at one of both ends of the cardboard tube; and an innershaft being inserted through the cardboard tube, and coupling the pairof flanges, wherein at least one of the flanges includes a flange mainbody covering an end face of the roll sheet, and a joint provided at acenter of an inner surface of the flange main body, and joined to an endof the inner shaft, and wherein the flange main body has a cutting lineformed thereon, the cutting line being for separating the joint joinedto the inner shaft from the flange main body.
 2. The roll sheet assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the cutting line includes a cyclic cuttingline that is formed around the joint on the flange main body.
 3. Theroll sheet assembly according to claim 2, wherein the cutting lineincludes one or more coupling cutting lines that couple an outer edge ofthe flange main body with the cyclic cutting line.
 4. The roll sheetassembly according to claim 3, wherein the roll sheet assembly ismountable on a holder, the holder being provided in a printer, whereinan outer surface of the flange main body has a convex portion formedthereon, the convex portion being detected by a sensor disposed on theholder, and wherein the coupling cutting lines are formed in a mannerthat the coupling cutting lines intersect the convex portion.
 5. Theroll sheet assembly according to claim 4, wherein a slit is formed at asite on the flange main body, the coupling cutting lines intersectingthe convex portion at the site.
 6. The roll sheet assembly according toclaim 3, wherein the coupling cutting lines include a single spiralcutting line that couples the outer edge of the flange main body withthe cyclic cutting line.
 7. The roll sheet assembly according to claim3, wherein the coupling cutting lines include a plurality of linearcutting lines that couple the outer edge of the flange main body withthe cyclic cutting line.
 8. The roll sheet assembly according to claim2, wherein one or more slits are formed on the cyclic cutting line. 9.The roll sheet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the joint includesa mating unit that mates with the end of the inner shaft.
 10. The rollsheet assembly according to claim 9, wherein the cutting line includes asplit cutting line that splits the flange main body and the mating unit.11. The roll sheet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cuttingline includes perforations or a cutting guide kerf.
 12. The roll sheetassembly according to claim 1, wherein, when force is applied to theflange main body in a direction separated from the cardboard tube, theflange main body is cut along the cutting line and at least a part ofthe joint joined to the inner shaft is separated from the flange mainbody.
 13. A roll sheet flange comprising: a pair of flanges eachdisposed at one of both ends of a cardboard tube around which a rollsheet is wound; and an inner shaft coupling the pair of flanges, theinner shaft being inserted through the cardboard tube in an axisdirection, wherein at least one of the flanges includes a flange mainbody covering an end face of the roll sheet, and a joint provided at acenter of an inner surface of the flange main body, and joined to an endof the inner shaft, and wherein the flange main body has a cutting lineformed thereon, the cutting line separating the joint joined to theinner shaft from the flange main body.